Provides that any volunteer agency who is granted state aid by the office of addiction services and supports or pursuant to a contract with a local governmental unit shall receive the full amount of such state aid within sixty days from approval; provides that volunteer agencies shall have two years to spend such aid.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8392
SPONSOR: Burroughs TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to state aid
provided to volunteer agencies for the provision of certain addiction
services
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill ensures timely and consistent disbursement of state aid to
volunteer agencies that provide addiction-related services, including
treatment for substance use disorders, compulsive gambling, and
prevention programs
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends Section 25.11 of the Mental Hygiene Law by adding a new subdivi-
sion (c). - Requires, that volunteer agencies receiving state aid
through the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), or via
contracts with local governmental units, be paid in full within 60 days
of aid approval. Specifies that the recipient volunteer agencies must
utilize the full amount of aid within two years of receipt. - Limits the
use of funds to authorized services related to substance use disorder
treatment, prevention, or compulsive gambling, in accordance with
provisions of the Mental Hygiene Law
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
N/A
JUSTIFICATION:
Volunteer agencies are essential partners in the delivery of addiction
prevention and treatment services across New York State. However,
delayed payments from the state or local entities can hamper their abil-
ity to plan programs, retain staff, and deliver effective services. By
mandating a 60-day disbursement timeline and clarifying the two-year
spending window, this bill supports financial stability for these agen-
cies and ensures that allocated funds are used efficiently to address
urgent public health needs related to addiction
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill; no prior versions
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
No immediate fiscal impact beyond the timely disbursement of already-ap-
propriated funds. May improve administrative efficiency and service
delivery outcomes
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8392
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 13, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BURROUGHS -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to state aid
provided to volunteer agencies for the provision of certain addiction
services
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 25.11 of the mental hygiene law is amended by
2 adding a new subdivision (c) to read as follows:
3 (c) Notwithstanding any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a
4 volunteer agency who is granted state aid by the office or pursuant to a
5 contract with a local governmental unit shall receive the full amount of
6 such state aid within sixty days from the time such state aid is
7 approved. Once a volunteer agency has received such state aid, such
8 volunteer agency shall utilize the full amount of such aid within two
9 years of receipt for purposes of providing substance use disorder,
10 treatment, compulsive gambling, prevention or other authorized services
11 and consistent with the provisions of this article.
12 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11466-01-5
